The former Reds and Barcelona forward - son of Nou Camp legend Johan - believes the Catalan coach came close to agreeing a move to Old Trafford in 2013.

He says United had Guardiola 'aligned' to replace Sir Alex Ferguson when the Scot retired in 2013 - but appointed David Moyes instead.

Guardiola joined Bayern Munich before moving on to Manchester City two years ago.

United struggled in the interim period, dismissing Moyes and his successor Louis van Gaal before bringing in Jose Mourinho, while Guardiola has this season guided City to the Premier League title on a wave on thrilling, attacking football.

Cruyff, manager Maccabi Tel Aviv in Isreal, told Sky Sports: "I've always felt, not now but before Guardiola went to Bayern Munich, I always felt there was a chance that Manchester United had the chance to go for it.

Pep Guardiola has found success at City.

"I think there was a moment where things were lined up, it was there, but Man United chose someone else, I'm talking many years ago, and he took a different way.

"I think he would have suited a club like Man United many years before. I'm not talking this era, not now, I'm talking like five or six years ago I think.

"There was a moment where things were aligned, that was the moment, and United took a different path."

Guardiola instead found success at City - though Cruyff describes his arrival at a 'favourable' situation at the club like 'stepping into a warm bath'.

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"Everyone is talking about Man City, but people shouldn't forget that Guardiola kind of came to a warm bath," he added.

"The main point for him was that for him at City there was Ferran Soriano and Txiki Begiristain, who worked with him at Barcelona in a successful period.

"So Guardiola came, the club knew his way of thinking, and he knew their way of thinking. Obviously they are on one line from the start. Guardiola arrived at a place where they both knew how things functioned."